How to keep your dental team from dreading Mondays

A lot of songs have been written about Mondays, such as "Monday, Monday," an old song by the Mamas and the Papas. The lyrics include "Monday, Monday, can't trust that day."

After a restful weekend, people often have a negative view of Monday and don't enjoy going to work. One study found that more heart attacks and strokes occur on Mondays arising from the anxiety the day creates. People who hate Mondays often hate their jobs, according to some studies. In a recent Gallup poll, 70% of workers don't like their jobs or are completely disengaged from their work. They are just going through the motions like robots. For some individuals, Monday may signal the start of a long week of torture.

James Anderson, DMD.

In dental practices, Mondays are typically busy, especially if the office has been closed since Friday. People who experienced dental emergencies over the long weekend are clamoring to get into the practice schedule that is already booked to its maximum. Another aspect of Mondays is people often think about things they need to schedule or get done over the weekend and put it on their calendar for Monday. People wanting to schedule long-overdue appointments or parents needing to get their children seen will call on Mondays because they have been thinking about it all weekend.

Should we accept Monday as it is or attempt to alter our perception and change the outcome?

Here are some suggestions to ease the Monday blues:

1. Anticipate that Monday will have more than the average number of emergency appointments. Don't schedule challenging cases or severe cases on Monday. Studies show that overexertion or overindulgence on the weekend will affect the energy levels of employees on Monday.
2. Every Monday, bring the team Starbucks or their favorite bakery goodies. One large practice I know brings breakfast egg and sausage muffins for the team. Protein packed for energy gives them a power boost.
3. Instead of "blue" Monday, call it "sunny" Monday because you will all be busy and it will go by quickly.
4. Engage team members in ways to discover what would make them look forward to coming to work on Monday, and then make it happen.
5. Have extra staff members on the phone in the earlier part of the morning to ease the stress level of the business team.
6. Give your patients extra attention and kind words because they are feeling the "blue Monday" as well.

We don't have to accept the negative view of Monday and can change the perception to a positive one for all with the right attitude and a few changes.

James Anderson, DMD, is a practicing dentist in Syracuse, UT, and is the CEO and founder of eAssist Dental Solutions. He can be reached via email.

The comments and observations expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DrBicuspid.com, nor should they be construed as an endorsement or admonishment of any particular idea, vendor, or organization.

The comments and observations expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DrBicuspid.com, nor should they be construed as an endorsement or admonishment of any particular idea, vendor, or organization.